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Friday, July 27, 2012

The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemningthe increasing use of heavy weapons by Syrian authorities andurging all sides of the conflict to immediately cease armed violence.3 August 2012. (Click on picture)

This is the UN General Assembly resolution on Syria. It was drafted and presented by the Saudi Arabia and the Arab Group, and adopted by a vote of 133 in favor to 12 against with 31 abstentions. (The deleted paragraphs are highlighted).

Recalling its resolutions 66/176 of 19 December 2011 and 66/253 of 16 February 2012, as well as Human Rights Council resolutions S-16/1 of 29 April 2011,1 S-17/1 of 23 August 2011, S-18/1 of 2 December 2011, 19/1 of 1 March 2012, 19/22 of 23 March 2012, S-19/1 of 1 June 2012 and 20/22 of 6 July 2012. and recalling also its resolutions 42/37 of 30 November 1987, 43/74 of 7 December 1988, and 66/35 of 2 December 2011,

Recalling also Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012) of 14 and 21 April 2012,

Expressing grave concern at the escalation of violence in the Syrian Arab Republic, in particular the continued widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights and continued use of heavy weapons by the Syrian authorities against the Syrian population, and the failure of the Syrian Government to protect its population,

Further expressing grave concern at the Syrian authorities’ threat to use chemical or biological weapons,

Alarmed at the threat to regional stability that the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic poses, and its grave implications for international peace and security,

Taking note of the report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic(1), which notes that the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic has deteriorated significantly since November 2011, causing more suffering to the Syrian people, and that widespread violence and increasingly precarious socio-economic conditions have led to putting many communities in a perilous situation,

Recalling that the High Commissioner for Human Rights in her statement on 27 May 2012 stated that acts of violence in the Syrian Arab Republic may amount to crimes against humanity or other forms of international crime and may be indicative of a pattern of widespread or systematic attacks against civilian populations that have been perpetrated with impunity,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict(2), which indicates the occurrence of grave violations against children in the Syrian Arab Republic, that children were among the victims of military operations carried out by Government forces, including the armed forces, Syrian intelligence forces and “Shabbiha” militias, and that

children as young as 9 years of age were victims of killing and maiming, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, and use as human shields,

Expressing concern at the vulnerable situation of women in this context, including by being subjected to discrimination, sexual and physical abuse, violation of their privacy, arbitrary arrest and detention in raids, including to force their male relatives to surrender, and underlining the importance of preventing all sexual violence and violence based on gender ,

Concerned about the humanitarian impact of violence, including as a result of oppression and violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the use by the Syrian authorities of excessive force, heavy weapons, armor and the air force against populated areas,

Concerned that the escalating violence caused an influx of Syrian refugees to neighbouring countries, and condemning the attacks by the Syrian authorities on people trying to exit Syrian territory to escape the violence,

Echoing the extreme concern expressed by Under-Secretary for humanitarian affairs on 30 July 2012 at the impact of shelling and use of tanks and other heavy weapons on people in Aleppo, as well as in the capital Damascus and surrounding towns,

Expressing its profound regret at the death of many thousands of people in Syria and extending condolences to their families,

Expressing its determination to seek ways and means to provide protection to the Syrian civil population,

Reaffirming its support to the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, and his work, following General Assembly resolution 66/253 of 16 February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League of Arab States, aimed at promoting a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, including through securing full implementation of the Six-point plan in its entirety,

Expressing its deep concern at the lack of progress towards implementation of the Six-point plan as annexed to Security Council 2042 (2012) and deploring the Security Council failure to agree on measures to ensure the Syrian authorities’ compliance with its decisions,

Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and to the principles of the Charter,

Recalling that all Members of the United Nations shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations,

Reaffirming further the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and recalling Syria’s obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Stressing that rapid progress on a political transition represents the best opportunity to resolve the situation in Syria peacefully, welcoming in this regard the Final Communiqué of the 30 June Action Group meeting, and noting that progress towards an atmosphere free from violence, fear and intimidation is key to enabling a credible transition that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people,

Reaffirming its support for the engagement of the Secretary-General and all diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the crisis, reaffirming also the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security as set out in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, and welcoming the relevant League of Arab States’ decisions, including its 22 July 2012 resolution, (in particular its appeal to the Syrian President to step down from power, in order to facilitate a peaceful political transition,)

1. Condemns the Syrian authorities’ increasing use of heavy weapons, including indiscriminate shelling from tanks and helicopters, in population centres and failure to withdraw its troops and heavy weapons to their barracks contrary to paragraph 2 of resolution 2042 (2012) and paragraph 2 of resolution 2043 (2012);

2. Strongly condemns the continued widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities and pro-government militias, such as the use of force against civilians, massacres, arbitrary executions, the killing and persecution of protestors, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence, and ill-treatment, including against children, as well as any human rights abuses by armed opposition groups:

3. Condemns all violence, irrespective of where it comes from, including terrorist acts;

4. Demands that all parties immediately and visibly implement Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012) in order to achieve a cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties, thereby creating an atmosphere conducive to a sustained cessation of violence and a Syrian-led political transition that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people;

5. Fully supports the Envoy’s demand that the first step in the cessation of violence has to be made by the Syrian authorities, and therefore calls upon the Syrian authorities to fulfil immediately their commitment to cease the use of heavy weapons and complete the withdrawal of their troops and heavy weapons to their barracks;

6. Calls upon the Syrian authorities to immediately put an end to all human rights violations and attacks against civilians, protect its population, fully comply with its obligations under applicable international law and fully implement all relevant Human Rights Council resolutions as well as General Assembly resolutions 66/176 and 66/253;

7. Demands that the Syrian authorities strictly observe their obligations under international law with respect to chemical and biological weapons, including Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) and the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925 and further demands that the Syrian authorities refrain from using, or transferring to non-State actors, any chemical and biological weapons, or any related material, and that the Syrian authorities meet their obligations to account for and to secure all chemical and biological weapons and any related material;

ACCOUNTABILITY

8. Stresses again the importance of ensuring accountability and the need to end impunity and hold to account those responsible for human rights violations, including those violations that may amount to crimes against humanity;

9. Encourages the Security Council to consider appropriate measures in this regard;

10. Demands that the Syrian authorities provide the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic and individuals working on its behalf immediate entry and access to all areas of Syria, and demands also that all parties cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry in the performance of its mandate;

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

11 Deplores the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the failure to ensure safe and timely provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting, in violation of point 3 of the Six-point plan, which, therefore, is contrary to Security Council resolutions;

12. Calls upon the Syrian authorities to immediately and fully implement the agreed humanitarian response plan, including by granting immediate, safe, full and unimpeded access of humanitarian personnel to all populations in need of assistance, in particular to civilian populations in need of evacuation, as well as safe, full and unimpeded access for affected civilians to humanitarian assistance and services, and also calls upon all parties in Syria, in particular the Syrian authorities, to cooperate fully with the United Nations and relevant humanitarian organizations to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance;

13. Calls upon all parties in Syria, in particular the Syrian authorities, to ensure the safety and security of personnel, installations, material, units and vehicles involved in humanitarian assistance in accordance with applicable international law;

14. Expresses also grave concern at the increasing numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the ongoing violence, and reiterates its appreciation of the significant efforts that have been made by the States bordering Syria to assist those who have fled across Syria’s borders as a consequence of the violence, and requests UNHCR to provide assistance as requested by member states receiving these displaced persons;

15. Invites Member States to provide all support to the Syrian people, and encourages Member States to contribute to the United Nations humanitarian response efforts;

POLITICAL TRANSITION

16. Reiterates its call for an inclusive Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, pluralistic political system, in which citizens are equal regardless of their affiliations or ethnicities or beliefs, including through the commencement of a serious political dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition;

17. Demands in this regard that all Syrian parties work with the Office of the Joint Special Envoy to implement rapidly the transition plan set forth in the Final Communiqué of the 30 June Action Group meeting, in a way that assures the safety of all in an atmosphere of stability and calm, notably through the establishment of a consensus transitional governing body, the review of the Constitution on the basis of an inclusive National dialogue, and free fair and multi-party elections held in the framework of this new constitutional order;

18. Welcomes in this regard the Syrian Opposition Conference held under the auspices of the League of Arab States in Cairo on July 3, 2012, as part of the efforts of the League of Arab States to engage the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition, and encourages greater cohesion among the opposition;

19. Encourages Member States to provide active support to ensure implementation of the transition plan set forth in the Final Communiqué of the 30 June Action Group meeting, and requests the Secretary-General to provide support and assistance to Syria at the appropriate time as it transitions;

20 Requests the Joint Special Envoy to focus his efforts towards a peaceful mechanism for the implementation of the transition to achieve a pluralistic democratic civil state with equality in citizenship and freedoms;

FOLLOW-UP

(21. Encourages the Member States, who have not done so, to adopt similar sanctions as adopted by the League of Arab States on 27 November 2011;)

21. Requests, in this context, the Secretary-General and all relevant United Nations bodies to provide support to the Envoy’s efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis;

22. Further requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution, within 15 days."

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Children at Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), North Darfur, pose inside one of the ten new classrooms built for the camp’s three primary schools. April 2012 (Click on picture)

Draft UNAMID
mandate

pp1:
Reaffirming all its previous
resolutions and presidential statements concerning the situation in Sudan and
underlining the importance of full compliance with these,

pp2:
Reaffirming its strong
commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of
Sudan and its determination to work with the Government of Sudan, in full
respect of its sovereignty, to assist in tackling the various challenges in
Sudan,

pp3:
Recalling also its previous
resolutions 1674 (2006) and 1894 (2009) on the protection of civilians in armed
conflict, which reaffirm, inter alia, the relevant provisions of the United
Nations World Summit outcome document; 1612 (2005) 1882 (2009), and 1998 (2011)
on children and armed conflict; 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian
and United Nations personnel, and 1325 (2000) and associated resolutions on
women, peace and security and children and armed conflict,

pp4:
Recalling its resolutions
reaffirming that there can be no peace without justice, and recalling the
importance that the Council attaches to ending impunity and to ensuring justice
for crimes committed in Darfur, expressing concern at the lack of
progress made so far in the work of the Special Prosecutor for Darfur appointed
by the Government of Sudan, and noting the
appointment of a new Special Prosecutor,

pp5: Bearing
in mind the Convention
relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 and its additional protocol
of 16 December 1966, along with the 1969 Convention of the Organization of
African Unity governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa, as
well as the African Union Convention of 29 October 2009, on the Protection of
and Assistance to internally displaced persons in Africa,

pp6:
Recalling the report on
Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan dated 5 July 2011 (S/20011/413), including
its recommendations, [and recalling the conclusions endorsed by the Security
Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan
(S/xxxx/xxxx/xx)],

pp7:
Welcoming the Doha Document
for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) as an important step forward in the African Union
(AU)-UN Darfur peace process; expressing its
strong commitment and determination to support the peace process, welcoming initial progress but deploring the serious delays in the
implementation of the DDPD and urging the Government of Sudan and the
Liberation and Justice Movement to accelerate such implementation in order to
deliver real benefits for the Darfuri people, and encouraging the international
community to assist the signatories in this regard; deploring also the fact that some armed movements have refused to
join the process and are impeding implementation of the DDPD and strongly urging them to support the
process, condemning any actions by
any armed group aimed at forced overthrow of the Government of Sudan, and strongly urging the Government of Sudan
and all the armed movements, including the Sudan Liberation Army, Abdul Wahid
faction (SLA/AW), the Sudan Liberation Army, Minni Minawi faction (SLA/MM), and
the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), to make every effort to reach a
comprehensive peace settlement on the basis of the DDPD, and to agree upon a
permanent ceasefire without further delay or preconditions,

Friday, July 20, 2012

The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2059.Susan Rice, Permanent Representative of the US to the U.N. converses with her Russian counterpart, Vitaly Churkin,prior to the vote. 20 July 2012 (Click on picture)

The Security Council just adopted this resolution that extended the mandate of UNSMIS for a final period of 30 days.

"United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

draft
resolution

Commending the
efforts of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS),

1. Decides to
renew the mandate of UNSMIS for a final period of 30 days, taking
into consideration the Secretary-General’s recommendations to
reconfigure the Mission, and taking into consideration the
operational implications of the increasingly dangerous security
situation in Syria;

2. Calls
upon the parties to assure the safety of UNSMIS personnel
without prejudice to its freedom of movement and access, and stresses
that the primary responsibility in this regard lies with the Syrian
authorities;

3. Expresses
its willingness to renew the mandate of UNSMIS thereafter
only in the event that the Secretary-General reports and the Security
Council confirms the cessation of the use of heavy weapons and a
reduction in the level of violence by all sides sufficient to allow
UNSMIS to implement its mandate;

4. Requests the
Secretary-General to report to the Council on the implementation of
this resolution within 15 days;

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Reaffirming
its support to the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of
Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his six-point proposal approved by the relevant Security
Council resolutions,

Commending
the role and efforts of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria
(UNSMIS),

Having
considered the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of
Resolution 2043 (2012), and observations contained therein (S/2012/523),

Reaffirming
its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial
integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter,

1.
Decides to extend the
mandate of UNSMIS for a period of 45 days taking into account the
Secretary-General’s recommendations contained in paragraphs 67-71 of his
report;

2.
Calls upon all
Syrian parties to guarantee the safety of UNSMIS personnel without prejudice to
its freedom of movement and access, and stresses that the primary
responsibility in this regard lies with the Syrian authorities;

1. Decidesto
renew the mandate of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria
(UNSMIS) for a final period of 30 days, taking into
consideration the Secretary-General’s recommendations to
reconfigure the Mission, and taking into consideration the
operational implications of the increasingly dangerous security
situation in Syria;

2. Expresses
its willingnessto
renew the mandate of UNSMIS thereafter only in the event that the
Secretary-General reports and the Security Council confirms the full
implementation of paragraph 2 of resolution 2043 and a reduction in
the level of violence sufficient to allow UNSMIS to implement its
mandate;

3. Requeststhe
Secretary-General to report to the Council on the implementation of
this resolution within 15 days;

Friday, July 13, 2012

Wide view of the Security Council chamber. 12 July 2012 (Click on picture)

Diplomats said that Russia delayed this Colombian draft press statement until Monday morning.

DRAFT

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON ATTACKS IN SYRIA

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Nestor Osorio (Colombia):

The Security Council has received letters from the Secretary-General and the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan on the tragic reports of intense violence and significant casualties coming out of the village of Trem-seh, near Hama.

The members of the Security Council expressed their profound concern and condemned this outrageous escalation of violence in the strongest possible terms. The members of the Security Council extended their profound sympathies and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and underscored their grave concern about the situation of civilians in Syria.

The use of artillery, tanks and helicopters is a violation of the Syrian Government's obligations and commitments to cease the use of heavy weapons in population centres under the six-point plan and Security Council resolutions 2042 and 2043.

Such outrageous use of force against civilian population constitutes a violation of applicable international law and of the commitments of the Syrian Government under United Nations Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012) to cease violence in all its forms, including the cessation of use of heavy weapons in population centres. The members of the Security Council insisted upon the full implementation of these resolutions, and they reiterated that all violence in all its forms by all parties must cease.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to the efforts of the Joint Special Envoy for the implementation of his six-point plan in its entirety and requested him to convey in the clearest terms to the Syrian parties, and in particular the Syrian Government, the demands of the Security Council.

Diplomats said that Kofi Annan sent this letter to the Security Council today:

"Excellency,

I
am writing in the light of the tragic reports coming out of the
village of Trem-seh, near Hama, of intense fighting and significant
casualties. The use of artillery, tanks and helicopters, which has
been confirmed by UNSMIS, is a violation of the Syrian Government's
obligations and commitments to cease the use of heavy weapons in
population centres under the six-point plan and Security Council
resolutions 2042 and 2043.

When
i briefed the Security Council on 11 July, I stated that despite
repeated promises to comply with its obligation to cease the use of
heavy weapons, the Government has increased its operations - with
shelling, mechanized infantry and the use of helicopter gunships,
including in population centres.

Tragically,
we now have another grim reminder that the Council's resolutions
continue to be flouted. On Wednesday I recommended that the Council
should insist on implementation of its decisions, and send a message
to all that there will be consequences for non-compliance. This is
imperative and could not be more urgent in light of unfolding events.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mark Lyall Grant, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN, speaks to the press. June 2012

DRAFT SCR: UNSMIS

The
Security Council,

PP1.
Recalling its Resolutions 2043 (2012)
and 2042 (2012), and its Presidential Statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March
2012 and 5 April 2012,

PP2.
Reaffirming also its support to the
Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi
Annan, and his work, following General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/253 of 16
February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League of Arab States, aimed at
securing full implementation of his six-point plan in its entirety, as annexed
to resolution 2042 (2012),

PP3. Welcoming the National
Compact and the Joint Political Vision for the Features of the Transitional Phase as approved by the Syrian Opposition Conference held under the auspices of the League of Arab States in Cairo
on July 3, 2012,

PP4.
Condemning the Syrian authorities’ increasing
use of heavy weapons, including indiscriminate shelling from tanks and
helicopters, in population centres and failure to withdraw its troops and heavy
weapons to their barracks contrary to paragraph 2 of resolution 2043 (2012),

PP5.
Condemning the continued widespread
violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities, as well as any human
rights abuses by armed groups, and recalling
that those responsible shall be held accountable, and expressing its profound regret at the death of many thousands of
people in Syria,

PP6. Deploring the deteriorating humanitarian
situation and the failure to ensure timely provision of humanitarian assistance
to all areas affected by the fighting contrary to point 3 of the Envoy’s
six-point plan, reiterating its call
for the Syrian parties to allow immediate, full and unimpeded access of
humanitarian personnel to all populations in need of assistance, in particular
to civilian populations in need of evacuation, and calling upon all parties in Syria, in particular the Syrian
authorities, to cooperate fully with the United Nations and relevant
humanitarian organizations to facilitate the provision of humanitarian
assistance;

PP7.
Condemning that thousands of Syrians
continue to be detained in networks of Government-run facilities and deploring
that there is no freedom of assembly contrary to points 4 and 6 of the
six-point plan, and recalling the
urgency of intensifying the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained
persons, and reiterating the need for
Syrians to enjoy the freedom to assemble, including to demonstrate peacefully
and freedom of movement for journalists throughout the country, as part of the
necessary conditions for a political transition,

PP8.
Expressing grave concern at the
increasing numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of
the ongoing violence, and expressing
its appreciation of the significant efforts that have been made by the States
bordering Syria to assist those who have fled across Syria’s borders as a
consequence of the violence, and requesting UNHCR to provide assistance as
requested by member states receiving these displaced persons,

PP9.
. Having considered the Secretary-General’s
report on UNSMIS dated 6 July 2012, commending
United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) personnel for their
continued efforts in a dangerous and volatile environment, and deploring that, due to the failure of
the parties to implement the six-point plan and to the level of violence, monitoring
access restrictions and direct targeting, the Mission’s operational activities
were rendered unworkable, and noting
the Secretary-General’s recommendation that a shift in Mission structure and
focus should be considered,

PP10.
Stressing that rapid progress on a
political solution represents the best opportunity to resolve the situation in
Syria peacefully, welcoming in this
regard the outcome of the Envoy’s 30 June Action Group meeting, and noting that progress towards an
atmosphere of safety and calm is key to enabling a credible transition,

PP11.
Noting the Secretary-General’s 7 July
2012 call on the Security Council to provide the necessary support and ensure
sustained, united and effective pressure on all concerned to ensure
implementation of its resolutions and create conditions for the success of a
political solution envisaged by the Action Group,

PP12.
Reaffirming its strong commitment to
the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to
the purposes and principles of the Charter,

PP13.
Determining that the situation in
Syria constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

PP14.
Acting under Chapter VII of the
Charter of the United Nations,

1. Expressesgrave concern at the escalation of
violence, and the failure of the parties, in particular the Syrian authorities,
to implement the Envoy’s six-point plan as annexed to resolution 2042 (2012),
thus not permitting the creation of a political space that would allow for
meaningful political dialogue,

2. Endorses
in full the 30 June Action Group Communiqué and its underlying guidelines and
principles (Annex A);

3. Demands that
all Syrian parties work with the Envoy to implement rapidly the transition plan
set forth in the Communiqué, including through: (a) the establishment of a
transitional governing body which could include members of the present
government and the opposition and other groups and be formed on the basis of
mutual consent and which would exercise full executive powers, (b) a review of
the constitutional order and legal system and development of a new constitution
that would be subject to popular approval and as a result of a inclusive and
meaningful national dialogue process, and (c) the holding of free and fair
multi-party elections on the basis of the new constitution;

4. Demands the
urgent, comprehensive, and immediate implementation of, all elements of the
Envoy’s six-point proposal as annexed to resolution 2042 (2012) aimed at
bringing an immediate end to all violence and human rights violations, securing
humanitarian access and facilitating a Syrian-led political transition as
outlined in Annex A, leading to a democratic, plural political system, in which
citizens are equal regardless of their affiliations, ethnicities or beliefs,
including through commencing a comprehensive political dialogue between the
Syrian authorities and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition;

5. Decides
that the Syrian authorities shall implement visibly and verifiably their commitments
in their entirety, as they agreed to do in the Preliminary Understanding and as
stipulated in resolution 2042 (2012) and 2043(2012), to (a) cease troop
movements towards population centres, (b) cease all use of heavy weapons in
such centres, (c) complete pullback of military concentrations in and around
population centres, and to withdraw its troops and heavy weapons from
population centres to their barracks or temporary deployment places to
facilitate a sustained cessation of violence;

6. Demands that
all parties in Syria, including the opposition, immediately cease all armed
violence in all its forms, thereby creating an atmosphere conducive to a
political transition;

Accountability

7. Recalls
that all those responsible for human rights violations, including acts of
violence, must be held accountable,

8. Notes Commissioner
Pinheiro’s unofficial visit to Damascus and
decides that the Syrian Government
shall provide the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the
Syrian Arab Republic and individuals working on its behalf immediate entry and
access to all areas of Syria, decides that the Syrian authorities shall
cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry in the performance of its
mandate, and requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council all
information gathered by the Independent Commission of Inquiry pertaining to the
commission of widespread and systematic violations of human rights;

UNSMIS

9.Decides to
renew the mandate of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS)
for a period of 45 days, on the basis of the Secretary-General’s recommendation
to reconfigure the Mission to increase support for dialogue with and between the
parties, and enhance attention to the political track and rights’ issues across
the six-point plan;

10.Requests the Secretary-General toretain the minimum military observer
capacity and requisite civilian component necessary to promote forward steps on
the six-point plan through facilitation of political dialogue and to conduct
verification and fact-finding tasks;

11. Condemns all
attacks against UNSMIS, reaffirms
that perpetrators of attacks against UN personnelmust be held to account, demands
that the parties guarantee the safety of UNSMIS personnel without prejudice
to its freedom of movement and access, and stresses
that the primary responsibility in this regard lies with the Syrian
authorities;

12. Demands that
the Syrian authorities ensure the effective operation of UNSMIS by:
facilitating the expeditious and unhindered deployment of its personnel and
capabilities as required to fulfil its mandate; ensuring its full unimpeded,
and immediate freedom of movement and access as necessary to fulfil its mandate,
underlining in this regard the need for the Syrian authorities and the United
Nations to come rapidly to an agreement on appropriate air transportation
assets for UNSMIS; allowing its unobstructed communications; and allowing it to
freely and privately communicate with individuals throughout Syria without
retaliation against any person as a result of interaction with UNSMIS;

Compliance

13. Decides
that, if the Syrian authorities have not fully complied with paragraph 5 above
within ten days, then it shall impose immediately measures under Article 41 of
the UN Charter;

Reporting and Follow-Up

14. Requests
the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the implementation of this
resolution within 10 days of its adoption and every 15 days thereafter;

15. Expresses its
intention to assess the implementation of this resolution and to consider
further steps as appropriate;

Néstor Osorio, Permanent Representative of Colombia to the UNand President of the Security Council for the month of July,briefs correspondents following closed-door consultationsof the Council on Syria. 11 July 2012.(Click on picture)

JOINT
SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES FOR
SYRIA KOFI
A. ANNAN

BRIEFING
TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN SYRIA

New
York, 11 July 2012

Mr.
President, Members of the Council,

1.
Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. This is an important
moment to take stock of where we are and where we must go. Let me
also join Mr. Ladsous in thanking troop contributors and expressing
my gratitude to the men and women serving under General Mood.

2.
I reported to you a month ago that the six—point plan and Security
Council resolutions 2042 and 2043 were not being implemented — as
they must. I recalled in this context the failure of President Assad
to take the bold steps necessary to implement the six-point plan, and
noted the intensification of violence from both the Government and
the armed opposition. I called for joint and sustained pressure by
the Council on the parties, and consequences for non-compliance. The
Secretary-General’s report before you carries the same message.

3.
Since I last briefed you, the situation has gone from bad to worse.
Mr Ladsous’ briefing today confirms that the violence in Syria
continues to escalate, with intensified government campaigns to root
out opposition strongholds, and civilians being killed and injured in
appalling numbers. Despite repeated promises to comply with its
obligation to cease the use of heavy weapons, the government has
increased its operations With shelling, mechanized infantry and the
use of helicopter gunships, including in population centres.
Opposition elements havealso
intensified their attacks against government forces and
installations. At leastseveral
hundred thousand people are displaced, and many civilians are trapped
incombat
zones, not receiving medical care or humanitarian aid. Battles
continue torage
through city after city. Whole neighborhoods have been shelled into
ruins.

Entire
families have been massacred. Thousands have been detained ordisappeared
without a trace and reportedly tortured. We have not seen substantialreleases
of detainees. Peaeefid demonstrators are not able to assemble withoutfear,
and are reportedly violently repressed when they do gather in
protest.Journalists
are still unable to access and move around the country withoutrestriction.
The assaults on human dignity must end, those responsible must beheld
to account, and the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people must
beaddressed.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Recalling
its resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012), as well as its presidential
statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012 and 5 April 2012, and also recalling all relevant resolutions
of the General Assembly,

Reaffirming
its support to the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab
States, Kofi Annan, and his six-point
proposal approved by the relevant SC resolutions,

Welcoming
the Final Communiqué adopted at the Action Group for Syria ministerial meeting
in Geneva on 30 June 2012 (annexed to this resolution) and urging the member states and all Syrian parties to fully comply
with its provisions and to implement them in their entirety,

Condemning
the widespread violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities, as well as any human rights abuses by armed groups,
recalling that those responsible
shall be held accountable, and expressing
its profound regret at the death of many thousands of people in Syria,

Expressing
concern over ongoing violence, and noting
the lack of progress in implementation of the Envoy's six-point peace plan by
the Syrian parties,

Commending
the role and efforts of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS),
expressing the readiness to extend
its mandate and taking note of the Secretary-General's
report on the implementation of Resolution 2043 (2012), and observations
contained therein to this end (S/2012/523),

Expressing
also its appreciation of the humanitarian assistance
that has been provided to Syria by other states,

Reaffirming
its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence,
unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and
principles of the Charter,

1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNSMIS
for a period of three months taking into account
the Secretary-General's recommendations contained in paragraphs 67-71 of
his report, and stresses the need for UNSMIS to have a military observer
capability to conduct effective verification and fact-finding tasks.

2. Calls
upon all Syrian parties to guarantee the safety of UNSMIS personnel
without prejudice to its freedom of movement and access, and stresses
that the primary responsibility in this regard lies with the Syrian authorities;

3. Strongly
urges all parties in Syria to cease immediately all armed violence in
all its forms;

4.Reaffirms
its support for and calls for the urgent, comprehensive and immediate
implementation of all elements of the Envoy's
six-point proposal as annexed to resolution 2042 (2012) and the Final
Communiqué adopted at the Action Group ministerial meeting in Geneva on 30 June
2012;

5. Urges
the Government of Syria and opposition groups to immediately commence the
implementation of the provisions of the Final Communiqué, including the
principles and guidelines on a Syrian-led transition, stressing that it is for
the Syrian people to find a political solution and that the Syrian parties must
be prepared to put forward effective and mutually acceptable interlocutors to
work with the Joint Special Envoy towards a Syrian-led settlement;

6. Urges
all member states to work in the spirit of the Final Communiqué and cooperate
in good faith with the Joint Special Envoy in his efforts to facilitate a Syrian-led
political process;

7. Expresses its concern over the
deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, including the growing numbers of
the refugees and internally displaced persons in the country and in bordering
states, and welcomes in this regard the tireless efforts by the international
humanitarian agencies to address the basic
needs of the population affected by the crisis;

8. Urges all Syrian parties to grant a
full and unimpeded humanitarian access of the humanitarian personnel to those
in need and reiterates its call for them to observe the necessary humanitarian
pause to ensure the evacuation of civilians from fighting-affected areas;

9 . Requests
the Secretary-General to report immediately to the Security Council any
obstructions to the effective operation of UNSMIS by any party;

10. Expresses its intention
to assess the implementation of this
resolution and to consider further steps as appropriate;

Report of the
Secretary-General to the Security Council on the implementation of resolution
2043 (2012) and UNSMIS end of mandate

I- Introduction

1. On 21 April, the
Security Council adopted resolution 2043 (2012), which established the United
Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) for an initial period of 90 days
with a mandate to monitor the cessation of armed violence in all its forms by
all parties, and to monitor and support the full implementation of the
six-point plan endorsed in Security Council resolution 2042 (2012). The present
report provides a comprehensive account of
the implementation of resolution 2043 (2012), including the six-point plan.

2. The crisis in the Syrian
Arab Republic is the consequence of a combination of factors, including a State that has failed to respond to the
legitimate political, economic and social demands of its people and its
position in a complex region. The response of the security apparatus to
what started as peaceful demonstrations led to armed clashes. In
recent months, the crisis has become increasingly violent and militarized.
The State’s campaign of violently suppressing dissent, which from the outset
employed excessive and lethal force against peaceful demonstrators, was
followed by defections and the formation of anti-Government armed
groups.

3. In parallel, the
President of the Syrian Arab Republic announced a series of actions in pursuit of a programme aimed at political and
governance reforms. A popular referendum endorsing a new national
constitution was held on 26 February, followed by parliamentary elections
on 7 May and the appointment of a new Government on 23 June. These initiatives,
which were taken unilaterally and took place amidst continuing violence
throughout the country, failed to meet the demands of the opposition.

4. The political opposition
has been formed in country and in exile. The Syrian National Council, comprising a diverse set of members, is
recognized by many as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
However, other opposition groups exist inside and outside the country
which cannot be ignored. The Syrian National Council has rejected any
political dialogue with the Government under present conditions. Many among
anti- Government armed groups, comprising army defectors and an increasing
number of armed civilians, identify themselves as the Free Syrian Army
(FSA) - whose leadership resides abroad - but operate relatively
independently on the ground. Most FSA groups initially adopted a defensive
posture, but then turned to offensive operations against Government
forces, facilities, and against critical national infrastructure. Over the
past period, the situation became more complex and deadly with a series of
bombings -- some of which are indicative of the presence of a third actor.